September Sees Rise in U.S. Employment

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has recently reported that total non-farm payroll employment has increased by 103,000 positions in September. While the gains are significantly higher than last month’s dismal numbers, the increase in employment is partially inflated by the return of 45,000 telecommunications workers who were on strike in August.

The graph below details the major employment gains and losses for the month of September:

“Since April, payroll employment has increased by an average of 72,000 per month, compared with an average of 161,000 for the prior 7 months,” the B.L.S. noted. “In September, job gains occurred in professional and business services, health care, and construction. Government employment continued to trend down.”

Indeed, professional and business services have seen an increase of 48,000 positions over the month, with a total of 897,000 new jobs added since the low point of September 2009. Education and health services also witnessed increased employment numbers over the month, with an additional 45,000 positions added. While employment in Information saw gains as well, the positions added reflected the return of 45,000 telecommunication workers who had been on strike in August. Construction saw 26,00 jobs added.

September was not without its serious losses, however – government continued to slash positions in an ongoing effort to curb costs – cutting an another 34,000 jobs this month.  Jobs in the manufacturing sector also saw significant decreases with a reported 13,000 jobs lost. Financial activities lost 8,000 jobs and employment in leisure and hospitality lost 4,000.

The B.L.S. added: “The average workweek for all employees on private non-farm payrolls edged up by 0.1 hour over the month to 34.3 hours following a decrease of 0.1 hour in August.”